This archive report was first published on 5 November 2019.
On November 5, 2019, Kenya's Bunge passed a bill to make Kiswahili an official language, a move that has been long overdue.
Despite Kiswahili being recognized as a national language in 2010 when the new constitution was adopted, it has not been widely used in the Bunge. In fact, many lawmakers have been known to use English in their official duties, despite being able to speak Kiswahili.
However, with the passage of this bill, it is hoped that Kiswahili will become a more prominent language in the Bunge and in Kenya as a whole. This is a step in the right direction towards promoting the use of Kiswahili and preserving the country's cultural heritage.
As Sakwa Titus, a Kiswahili writer and teacher, noted, 'Tukumbuke Kiswahili ndio fimbo ya Mwafrika tuitumie.' (Let us remember that Kiswahili is the drum of Africa that we must use.)
It remains to be seen whether this bill will be implemented effectively and whether Kiswahili will become a more widely used language in Kenya's Bunge.
